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Excellence in Education, A Proud Tradition Ask anyone to list what they like best about O’Fallon and you’ll find that our school system ranks at or very near the top almost every time. O’Fallon’s proud tradition of excellence in education has a long history. Our public school system dates back to the Civil War and our high school is approaching its centennial year. Our educational heritage, however, is even older and more distinguished than that. The eastern edge of O’Fallon was the birthplace of the first college in Illinois, Rock Spring Seminary, which opened Nov. 1, 1827. The establishment of the school was largely the work of pioneer Baptist preacher and educator John Mason Peck who made Rock Spring his home in 1822.The main purpose of the school was to train ministers of the Gospel and to give instruction in science and literature to all who sought entrance. The first building on the campus was erected in May 1827 and by the end of summer two more were completed. The school boasted a library of 1200 volumes with maps and globes. Rev. Joshua Bradley was the first principal and Peck was Professor of Theology. By the end of Nov. 1827, Rock Spring Seminary had nearly 100 students. Peck noted at the time that many had enrolled with high expectations. They thought that after a few months of instruction they would be educated, and their pride was hurt when it was pointed out that they still had much to learn. Though off to a promising start, the location of the school hindered its growth and in 1831 Peck reluctantly agreed to move the Seminary to Alton where it eventually became Shurtleff College. The old Alton campus is now home to the SIUE Dental School.
John Peck continued to live at Rock Spring until his death in 1857. October 31st marked the 210th anniversary of his birth.
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